Internal combustion rotary engine



Oct. 27, 1942. 1.. w. BEAVEN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ROTARY ENGINE 2 sheets-shut 1 Original Filed June 17, 1941 F/Qi.

INVENTOR. LEsL/e W. Btu/cu Oct. 27, 1942. L. w. HEAVEN 2,300,094

' INTERNAL comsus'rzon. ROTARY ENGINE Original Filed Juno- 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fie. 2,

V INVENTOR. LzsL/c W. ABE/HEN.

Patented Oct. 27, 1942 MAY 9 1 944 iNTEBNAL COMBUSTION BOTAR Y ENGINE Leslie W. Beaven, Chicago, Ill.

Original application June 17, 1941, Serial No. 398,428. Divided and this application February 11, 1942, Serial No. 430,401

2 Claims. (01. 123-44) This application is a division of my original application for a Rotary engine for heavy fuel oils" which was filed June 1'7, 1941, Serial No. 398,428, and is now pending in the United States Patent Omce'. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in internal combustion rotary engines, more especially those of the four-cycle rotary radial cylinder type which is disclosed in my aforesaid co-pendingapplication, and these improvements concern the centrifugal forcing of cooling air currents about the cylinders which are rapidly revolving within an external blower-like shell or housing whereby the moving cylinders will perform the function of blower or impeller vanes to create the air currents. The control of the temperature of the cylinders is accomplished through the medium of suitable thermostatic devices coacting with the other portions of the structure, so that the quantity of air is automatically regulated to the amount required to maintain a predetermined temperature of the cylinders at a minimum of power loss. The exhaust gases which are scavenged from the cylinders are discharged into said external shell or housing through an annular exhaust manifold that is common to the cylinders and their exhaust ports, and said gases, becoming mixed with the moving air currents inthe shell, are thereby cooled and contracted to such an extent that.

the explosions are more or less muflled.

, Another feature of my present improvements resides in the fact that-the entire engine, especially the cylinders, is, shielded and protected from the atmospheric elements. The temperature control of the engine and the exhausting of the burned gases from the cylinders takes place in said exterior shell or Jacket in which the engine is mounted and rotates, and these functions are simultaneous and'interdependent more or less upon each other ,so that one function is coordinated with and is assisted by the other. I have provided thermostatic devices within the shield or jacket which eflectively and dependably control the flow of air and the temperature therein. This arrangement provides advantages which are not found in other air-cooled engines, in that it will produce effective cooling in a vehicle'or an airplane at rest with the ensine running, and it will provide such an abundance of cooling when required as to permit much higher engine speed and horsepower with the same piston displacement.

One of the aims of my improvements is to is adapted to perform its required functions in an effective manner. Another object or aimis to provide an apparatus of the kind described that is made of sturdy and dependable. parts that are capable oflwithstandingheavy duty. The improvements disclosed herein are of compact arrangement; they are effective in operation; and the apparatus is economical to produce so that it may be manufactured and sold at a competitive retail price,

The before-mentioned and other objects, aims and advantages of my improvement will be obvious to persons who are skilled in the art after the construction and operation of this apparatus is understood from the following description. It is preferred to practice this invention in. substantially the manner hereinafter fully described and as more particularly enumerated in the ap-' pended claims, and for a better understanding of I my improvements, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification.

In. the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a fragmental portion of the rotary engine casing and one of the cylinders in vertical section with the engine shield or housing and the exhaust manifold in transverse section. Adjacent cylinders are omitted in this view in the interest of clearness.

Figure 2 is a vertical side view of the s'truc-r ture shown inFigure 1 with the engine housing or shield and one of the cylinders partly broken away and in section.

The drawings are to be understood as being more or less schematic for the purpose of illustrating a typical or preferred embodiment of my improvement and its various parts, and in said drawings, like reference characters are employed to identify the same parts wherever such parts appear in the different views.

The improvements and the engine are capable of use in a motor vehicle, or other structure 7 that is to be moved, but it is particularly adaptable for an airplane or automobile because it has features of novelty which lend themselves to such special uses. I

The drawings show a portion of a suitable angle-metal supporting structure or framework H1, in the central portion of which there is a bearing H, and there is a shaft l2 having a bore .l3 through which an emulsion of air and heavy fuel oil is fed, said shaft being provided with a crank intermediate its ends. The engine casing is mounted forrotary movement upon spaced provide an engine of a novel character and which portions of the .shaft on the sides of 'the crank so that the latter is enclosed within said casing. This casing comprises two side plates l8 and I9 which are of circular or disk shape that are spaced apart the desired distance and have their outer marginal edges secured to an annular closure member that is of substantially cylingdrical shape to be disposed concentric tothe shaft, while the central portions of said side plates are provided with hollow hubs 2| and 22 respectively that surround and are adapted to rotate on said shaft. One portion of the bearing II is secured to hub 22, and the other portion of said bearing is secured to the support-.

ing frame III that may be mounted on the chassis or other support. A second support 21 embraces the opposite end portion of the shaft, so that by reason of this arrangement the shaft and crank are maintained stationary and the engine casing is adapted to rotate thereon. Ifdesired, a power disk 22a is anchored to hub 22 to be connected with a'mechanism to be driven by the engine.

A plurality of circular openings are made in the, cylindrical casing member 20, and' these openings have the engine cylinders 25 mounted in them in a manner so that the axes of said cylinders are disposed radial to the axis of the main shaft at'a uniform angle to each other and in one'plane which is at a right angle to said shaft. Annular base flanges 26 are formed .near'the inner ends of the cylinders and are adapted to be seated upon the outer face of the cylindrical member 20 to which said flanges are secured by bolts in the manner illustrated in the drawings. Somewhat dome-shaped heads 21 close the outer ends of said cylinders, and lateral fins 28 formed on the outer face of the cylinders to act as cooling elements during operation of the engine, at which time casing and cylinders are spinning or rotating on the shaft.

Each of the radial cylinders is provided with a hollow or cupped piston 29 that is adapted to reciprocate therein through the medium of a pitman-rod 30 that is pivotally connected to it and extends inwardly towards the crank portion of the shaft and is operatively' connected thereto. Since the fuel is discharged into the engine casing and cylinders through the hollow shaft I 2, the pistons are provided with valve-controlled inlet or fuel feed ports 58 which discharge the fuel into the combustion chambers of the cylinders. The cylinders are scavenged by means of valve-controlled exhaust ports which discharge the products of combustion into an exhaust coupling 68 of angular or arcuate form.

The intake and exhaust valves are properly timed and actuated by means of suitable mechanical instrumentalities, such for example as those set forth in my aforesaid co-pending parent application to which specific reference is hereby made for the details ofthese devices.

anchored to the cooling fins of thecylinde heads so that the manifold will rgtate with'the engine.

The exhaust coupling hasa cross-member 58a which atone end is cast with or welded to the 7 end of the adjacent manifold section, while the other. end of said cross-member is slidably inserted into the adjacent end of the next 5110-. ceeding section of the manifold. When the exhaust valve is opened, the centrifugal force which is created by the rapidly revolving cylinders will relieve the piston of back-pressure and will assist in completely discharging the burned gases.

Novel means are provided for cooling the structure when the .engine casing and cylinders are in rotation. To this end a suitable housing is employed which embodies two annular plates 19 disposed parallel to each other, with one plate on each side of the row of cylinders and spaced outwardly from the fins thereon and anchored to said fins by means of suitable brackets 80. These plates have central openingsjl that space their inner margins from the engine casing and permit the entrance of air into both sides of the structure in the manner of the suction opening of a blower. The outer margins of said plates terminate at about the outer edges of the fins on the domes of the cylinders for the purpose hereinafter fully described.

A stationary outeriacket or shield, having a semi-circular outer portion 82 and parallel inwardly extending sidle walls 83, embraces or envelops the housing walls 19 and also the annular exhaust manifold pipe 69. This jacket or shield is of annular shape and has a central opening 84 upon each side of the engine for ingress of air to the inner space that is housed by the plates 19, and there is a tangential opening and stub 81 for exhausting the coolant air and the exhaust gases which have become commingled therewith inside said jacket or shield. The parts 82 and 83 of the shield or jacket are stationary by reason of anchorage thereof to the stationary frame members III or other stationary structure adJacent the engine in order to permit the engine and engine casing to rotate within the same. Thus the cylinders and their fins are adapted to perform the functions of the'impeller blades of a blower. e

The passage of air from the inner housing, which is close to the cylinders is controlled by providing a plurality of thermostatically-influenced bi-metal plates or louvers 85 that are preferably spaced apart and are constructed so that they will alternately become bowed outwardly and inwardly in the manner suggested in dotted lines in Figure l. The louvers 85 are arranged in an annular series disposed transversely across the periphery of the housing plates 19, and they are anchored intermediate their ends to channelshaped segments 86 that are secured to the manifold pipe segments 69, the flanges of said channels being disposed outwardly and affording a suitable seat in which-the exhaust manifold is mounted and secured. The opening and closing, or relative positioning of the louvers will thus thermostatically control the flow of air about the cylinders. These louversextend across or span the annular space or opening between the outer margins of the side plates 19, but they do not touch said plates, thus permitting the free flexing'of the louvers. The louvers are made up from a plurality of flat leaves of .uniformly graduated lengths as shown in order to give the necessary stability without curtailing their Warping or bowing function. The leaves are preferably welded laminations of nickel-steel and brass, the latter having the greater co-efilcient of expansion, will form the convex face of The louvers the louver when bowed from heat. are assembled alike as to their respective long and short leaves, but alternate louvers are opposed to each other as to theirv bending or bowing action under heat, one having the brass side outward and the next with its nickel-steel side outward. Since the warping movement is in an inverse ratio to the square of the thickness of ,thebi-metal, the suitable variations of the air passage are ascertained by the predetermined gauge of the bi-metal.

. -Bafiling means of novel construction are interposed between adjacent cylinders and extend between the housing plates 19 for the purpose of directing the air into intimate relation to the surfaces of the cylinders and, their fins. These baiiies comprise hollow box-like structures that are disposed with their axes transverse to the annular housing plates J9, and have their end edges secured-.to-the'innerfaces of said plates in any suitable manner. As shown, one wall 92 of each baflie is curved to substantially conform generally with the contour of the proximate leading portion of the adjacent cylinder, and another or opposite wall 93 is straightand is alongside the adjacent portion of the advanced cylinder and is in a somewhat radial plane.. Parallel annular walls 94 and 95 connect the shaped walls 92 and II," and are disposed parallel with and adjacent the respective inner and outer margins of the plates I9, thus forming a box-like or enclosed structure between these plates and extending transversely between the cylinders. This struc ture reducesthe spaces between-the cylinders and compels; the. air, after entering the housing .35 a and shield, topass outwardly or radially in more intimate relation to the surfacesv of the cylinders. V

It will be observed that the exhaust embossments 6! and the exhaust couplings 68 are positioned on the leading? sides of the cylinders, thereby providing for the quicker and better cooling'of these parts of the engine during operation 1 thereof. This, however, is an optional arrange- I ment. The centrifugal force created by the rapiid rotation of the cylinders materially assists in scavenging the combustion chambers, and the exhaust gases discharged through the manifold pipe willenter the Jacket or shield through the apertures in said pipeso that the gases, mixing with the coolant air, become contracted so that the sound of the explosions ismore or less muffled. Also, the stationary outerjacket or shield. formed by the semi-cylindrical portion 82 and a the inwardly extending side portions 83, provides excellent protection for the engine from atmospheric elements. For convenience in assembly and disassembly, this shield; mayibe made of a plurality of segmental sections that are detachably joined to eachother at their proximate ends.

WhatI claim is: t

1. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; radially disposed cylinders rotatable about said shaft; housing walls spaced from said cylinders and movalble therewith; said walls providing an annular peripheral opening between their outer portions; and thermostati-' sally-influenced plates extending across said opening and adapted to control the passage of air past said cylinders.

2. In an internal combustion rotary engine,

a stationary shaft; radially disposed cylinders.

rotatable about said shaft; hOuslngwaIIsspaced from said cylinders and movable therewith, said walls providing an annular-peripheral opening between their outerportions; a pluralityof therof the engine.

mostatic plates extending across and constituting closure meansfor said opening and adapted to control the passage of air past said cylinders; and a stationary Jacket enveloping said housing walls and thermostatic plates and in spaced relation thereto, said Jacket having ingress "openings in its sides and also having an outlet open- 3. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary'annular jacket; radially disposed cylinders rotatable in said jacket and adapted to create air-currents therethrough; and an annu- I 1 lar exhaust manifold common'to said cylinders and adapted to discharge the exhaust gases of combustion from said cylinders into the air-currents in said acket, whereby said air currents are adapted to cool and contract'the exhaust gases and muilie the same.

4. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; an engine casing rotatable thereon; radially disposed air-cooled cylinders on said casing; laterally spaced'plates secured to and movable with said cylinders, said'plates providing air inlets andoutlets; a stationary annular 'jacket' extending around the outer margins of said plates and inwardly towards the centers thereof in spaced relation thereto, said rotating cylinders constituting blower elements adapted to create air currents within the Jacket in intimate relation to said cylinders and in directions radial to said shaft; which said air'currents are discharged centrifugally from between said plates; thermostatic means disposed in the path of the air currents; and cooling fins on said cylinders adapted to excessively increasethe heatradiating surfaces ther'eof,.whereby the heat a'bsorbedyby said air-currents provides means for influencing said thermostatic means to move to opened positions to remove excess heat and to 7 remain in closed positions'to' conserve the heat, and thereby control theoperating temperature 5.:An' internal combustion rotary'engine em- ,bodying' a stationary shaft; an engine casing supported by and rotatable on said shaft; radial cylinder son said engine casing; pistons reciprocable in said cylinders; valve-controlled exhaust I said cylinders; an annular exhaust manifold common to and communicating with. said exhaust ports leading out of the combustion chambers of rartasaid exhaust manifold secured to said cylinders and movable therewith; and means enveloping said cylindersv and exhaust manifold into which theiatter discharges, whereby the discharged products of combustion are mixed with air-currents in said enveloping means prior to discharge into the atmosphere.

6. In an internal combustion rotary engine; a

v able within said Jacket to create air-currents "therein in intimate relation to radial y to said shaft.

7. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; an engine casing rotatable said cylinders and stationary shaft; thereon; radial cylinders on said casing; valvethereon; a plurality of radially disposed cylinders on said engine casing and provided with exhaust ports; laterally spaced plates on opposite sides of and movable with said cylinders, said plates provided with air inlets and their spaced outer portions providing an annular outlet, said cylinders adapted to create air-currents between. said plates in intimate relation to said cylinders; and to discharge said air currents centrifugally through said annular outlet; thermostatic means disposed in the discharge path of the air currents and influenced by the temperature of said currents to control said annular outlet; and an annular manifold tube communicating with the exhaust ports of said cylinders and adapted to discharge the scavenged products of combustion into and to intermingle said products of combustion withv said air currents.

8. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; an engine casing rotatable thereon; a plurality of radially disposed cylinders on said engine casing and provided with exhaust ports; laterally spaced plates on opposite sides of and movable with said cylinders, said plates provided with air inlets and their spaced outer portions providing an annular outlet, and said cylinders adapted to create air currents between said plates and discharge the same through said opening; thermostatic devices disposed in the discharge path of said air and influenced by the temperature of said currents to control said annular outlet; an annular manifold tube communicating with the exhaust ports of said cylinders and adapted to discharge the products of combustion into said air currents; and a stationary enveloping jacket surrounding said cylinders and spaced plates, said jacket adapted to receive said air currents and the discharged products of combustion and intermingle the same.

9. In an internal'combustion rotary engine, a an engine casing rotatable controlled exhaust ports discharging the products of combustion out of said cylinders; and a continuous annular exhaust manifold in communication with said exhaust ports.

10. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; an engine casing rotatable thereon; radial cylinders on said casing; valvecontrolled exhaust ports discharging the products of combustion out of said cylinders; a continuous annular exhaust manifold communicating with said exhaust ports; and an annular jacket extending about said cylinders and said manifold adapted to receive the products of combustion from said manifold.

11. In an internal combustion rotary engine, cylinders disposed radially with respect to and bodily movable about a common axis; a stationary jacket extending along the sides and across the heads of said cylinders, whereby rotational movement of said cylinders is adapted to create air currents in said jacket; and an exhaust manifold common to said cylinders and supported thereby for receiving the products of combustion from said cylinders, said manifold provided with a plurality of apertures adapted to discharge said products of combustion radially into the air currents in said jacket and intermingle the same.

12. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; radially disposed cylinders rotatable about said shaft and spaced from each other annularly to said shaft; stationary means enveloping said cylinders and wherein the movement of said cylinders is adapted to create aircurrents, said enveloping means provided with ingress and egress openings; and baffling means interposed between said cylinders for constricting the spaces intermediate the successive cylinders.

13. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; radially disposed rotatable cylinders spaced from each other annularly about said shaft; stationary means enveloping said cylinders wherein the movement of said cylinders is adapted to create air-currents; said enveloping means provided with ingress and egress openings; and hollow box-shaped baflles interposed between said cylinders and constricting the spaces between successive cylinders.

14. In an internal combustion rotary engine,

a stationary shaft; radially disposed rotatable cylinders spaced from each other annularly about said shaft; a stationary shell enveloping said cylinders wherein the movement of said cylinders is adapted to create air-currents, said shell provided with ingress and egress openings; annular housing walls movable with said cylinders and disposed in parallel relation to and alongside said cylinders; and transverse bafiling means connecting said annular walls between successive cylinders whereby to constrict the spaces between said cylinders.

15. In an internal combustion rotary engine, radial cylinders rotatable about a common axis; a stationary housing enveloping the sides and heads of said cylinders and wherein the movement of said cylinders is adapted to create circulating air-currents; pistons reciprocable in said cylinders; and exhaust ports in the heads of said cylinders discharging the products of com-' bustion radially into said stationary housing; whereby the rotation of said cylinders is adapted tov create centrifugal force to assist in exhausting the products of combustion into said housing and thereby minimize back-pressure on said pistons.

16. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a stationary shaft; radial cylinders rotatable about said shaft; a stationary annular housing enveloping said cylinders and wherein the movement of said cylinders is adapted to create circulating air-currents; an annular exhaust manifold within said housing; pistons reciprocable in said cylinders; and exhaust ports in said cylinders discharging the products of combustion into said annular manifold; whereby the rotation of said cylinders is adapted to create centrifugal force to assist in exhausting the products of combustion from said cylinders and thereby minimize back-pressure on said pistons.

17. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a plurality of radial cylinders rotatable about a common axis; housing walls alongside said cylinders, the outer portions of said walls spaced from each other to provide a cylindrical opening; and closures for said cylindrical opening, said closures themselves being formed of thermostatic elements and constituting the sole means for operating said closures. e i

18. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a plurality of radial cylinders rotatable about 9.

- common axis; housing walls alongside'said cylinair passing out of said cylindrical opening is discharged.

19. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a

plurality of radial cylinders rotatable about a common axis; housing walls alongside said cylinders, the outer portions of said walls spaced from each other to provide a cylindrical opening; and closure means for said cylindrical opening embodying a plurality of bi-metai plates having difierent co-efllcients of expansion and adapted to control the movement of air past said cylinders.

20. In an internal combustion rotary engine, radially disposed cylinders rotatable about a common axis; housing walls spaced from said cylinders and movable therewith, there being an open space between the outer peripheral portions of said housing walls; and self-contained thermostatic elements constituting closures extending across said open space and adapted to control the passage of air therethrough.

21. In an internal combustion rotary engine, plurality oi cylinders rotatable about a common axis; spaced parallel plates between which said cylinders are disposed, said plates being laterally spaced from said cylinders and providing an open-ended space for circulation of air about said cylinders; and closures extending across said open end and spaced beyond the outer ends of said cylinders, said closures themselves being formed of thermostatic elements and constituting the sole means for operating the closures.

22. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a plurality of cylinders rotatable about a common axis; spaced parallel plates between which said cylinders are disposed, said plates being laterally spaced from said cylinders and providing an open-ended space for circulation of air about said cylinders; closures extending across said open end and spaced beyond the outer ends of said cylinders, said closures themselves being formed of thermostatic elements and constituting the sole means for operating the closures; and means supporting said closures independently of said plates.

23. In an internal combustion rotary engine, a plurality of cylinders rotatable about a common axis; spaced parallel plates between which said cylinders are disposed, said plates being laterally spaced from said cylinders and providing an open-ended space for circulation of air about said cylinders, said plates being provided with openings adjacent the inner ends of said cylinders for admission of air into said space; and closures extending across said open end and spaced beyond the outer ends of said cylinders, said closures themselves being formed of thermostatic elements and constituting the sole means for operating said closures.

LESLIE W. BEAVEN. 

